Your groups need to keep top talent from competitors and attract new team members. This is one of the main reasons they look to you, as an employee benefits consultant. A strong benefits program, competitive pay, vacation, and flex time might be the minimum to get a candidate interested. But, how can the employer really stand out?

I’m sharing 3 tips to help your groups gain an advantage over companies competing for the same talent.

1. Suggest a speedy process

How many of you have applied for a job where it took 3 months to get hired? You went through 5 interviews with 15 different people on 5 different days – while trying to juggle your current job duties. A long hiring process can give candidates pause about working for an organization. A company that acts swiftly will stand out.

A tight labor market not only means candidates are typically interviewing with multiple companies, it also means there’s a greater likelihood current employees are considering a move, so it’s a good idea to have strong and frequent internal HR processes, too. Being timely and proactive with frequent feedback loops, formal reviews and rewards are key to retaining great employees.

2. Be ready with a fresh mix of benefits

Whether an employer has found a great new candidate or wants to reward their existing team, it’s important to wow them with a new mix of “perks” they’re not seeing everywhere. Yes, the health plan will always matter. But, for the most part, it’s also expected and not likely to be the tipping point.

A new mix of services delivered in a tech-savvy way shows the company is keeping up with the times and in touch with employee needs. Get creative and put together a mix of perks like…

flexible hours or remote work days

free snacks, on-site car washes or casual dress

identity theft protection or a legal savings plan

a dedicated health pro to help employees get the most of their medical benefits

Pet care assistance

A trained coach to help employees and their families who are caregivers for adult loved ones

no-fee telehealth visits for common needs, and next-gen telehealth services for behavioral health, dermatology, physical therapy and more

It’s no longer about offering a ton of voluntary offerings that the employees can “choose” from, but a curated offering provided by the employer as part of the overall benefits package. It’s also not about providing a benefit to every employee that some just don’t need or won’t use – employers can ask employees which perks are of interest. This strategy delivers a lot of stand-out value with little incremental expense.

3. Offer something for everyone

Who will receive this fresh mix of benefits? As I meet with employers and consultants every day, this is an area where I see a huge opportunity.

Traditionally, employees who aren’t on the medical plan aren’t offered other benefits. Maybe they declined coverage because they have it elsewhere, or maybe they’re not eligible due to part-time or contract status – maybe they just can’t afford their portion. Yet, these can be very important employees.

Providing these individuals with a suite of benefits apart from the medical plan is a big point of distinction that doesn’t need to break the budget. For example, we’ve assembled a freshSAVINGS pack with 9 best-in-class savings networks including Rx, Dental, Vision, Chiropractic and more that an employer can provide to any employee for $2/PEPM. It’s a great entry point to put some core benefits into an underserved population.

The competition for talent is heating up and looks to remain that way going forward. As a consultant, you have the chance to help your employers stand out against the competition – not only to compete for top talent, but to keep their valued employees.

Now it’s your turn! How do you advise groups to stay competitive and within budget? Comment below or email me at adam@freshbenies.com.

Adam helps educate Americans on how they can bridge the gap between what their health insurance covers and their out-of-pocket costs. With 4 children at home, he’s personally seen the perks of non-insurance benefits. Adam is a broker sales executive for freshbenies where he strategizes with brokers and employers daily about how to take the headache out of healthcare. He can be reached at adam@freshbenies.com.

22 views

22 views

Are you a freshbenies memebr?

Download app NOW

Tanya Boyd

President of Tanya Boyd & Associates

I didn’t want to go to urgent care or the ER. Using Doctors Online in my freshbenies membership, I went online to ask a doctor. The doctor responded and said to check my blood pressure. He followed up with the next day to make sure my numbers were OK.
By then, the feeling was starting to go away. He told me if it persists to contact my doctor. It was great that I didn’t have to go somewhere and wait forever, and it was free.”
- Kelli from Texas

I AM

GET HELP

Connect

This discount card program is NOT insurance, not intended to replace insurance, and does not meet the minimum creditable coverage requirements under the Affordable Care Act or Massachusetts M.G.L. c. 111M and 956 CRM 5.00. It contains a 30-day cancellation period, provides discounts only at the offices of contracted health care providers, and each member is obligated to pay the discounted medical charges in full at the point of service. For a complete list of disclosures, please click here. | Limitations, Exclusions and Exceptions | Discount Plan Organization: New Benefits, Ltd., Attn: Compliance Department, PO Box 803475, Dallas, TX 75380-3475.